Jokes aside, the trade does have some ramifications for the Penguins. First and foremost, it means Cody Wild will be in the lineup.

Wild has usually been the seventh or eighth defenseman since signing an AHL deal Jan. 16. He's dressed for eight of the team's 27 games since then. That percentage will likely increase significantly down the stretch.

Wild is a fifth-year pro with nearly 200 AHL games to his credit. He was a plus-8 in 51 games with the Penguins last year and is a plus-2 in limited duty this season.

"He's a phenomenal human being," coach John Hynes said. "He's got an upbeat attitude. He understands it's a privilege to play professional hockey. He really enjoys it. He's a good player. It's been a combination of his patience, his work ethic but more importantly his attitude. He's a positive guy and it's contagious and he's made the most of his situation."

It's been quite a climb up the depth chart for Wild this season. Before the NHL lockout ended, he could have been considered no better than 12th on the AHL depth chart. Now that Brian Strait, Robert Bortuzzo and Simon Despres have graduated to the NHL and Carl Sneep and Morrow have been traded to Dallas, Wild is part of the top six.

"Before I signed here, I didn't think there was any chance of me coming back because I was looking at the depth chart and I think there were 18 or 19 guys signed," Wild said. "But I mean, that's out of my control. I just played and played well and I'm here and I get another chance at it. I'm excited."

Mormina will likely pick up Morrow's shifts playing the point on the power play. Hynes said he's happy with Mormina, Alex Grant, Brian Dumoulin and Dylan Reese in that role and didn't anticipate trying a forward at the point in the near future.

"It's something I'm more than comfortable doing, but at the same time, I'll still play a lot of minutes PK and five-on-five," Mormina said. "It's not something that I'll change my approach. More opportunities for different guys."

Morrow's departure also shuffled the team's D pairs, which have been pretty static for the last few weeks. Dumoulin and Reese will stay together, but Mormina will take Morrow's spot with Philip Samuelsson and Wild will be paired with Grant.

Those last two pairings aren't exactly new. The Penguins used them extensively down the stretch and into the playoffs last season.

"I think we played pretty well together," Samuelsson said. "We complemented each other well. We're pretty solid defensively and we should do a good job not letting their top guys get chances out there."

Samuelsson said he was sad to see Morrow go because they had become friends in their six months as teammates, but like Mormina, he too could find a bright side in the deal.

"I think it'll be a good chance for him to have a fresh start in Dallas. I wish him all the best," Samuelsson said. "He's still young. He doesn't have much stuff to bring with him and he's going to a nice warm climate."

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